@Usui can i invite chels? Fufufufu @Gracie ;)

They made their way to Eridanus, Ghanyarah trailing behind despite the tunnel leading in just one general direction. It was hard to get lost when traveling from room to room; getting lost only became an issue when one didn't know their destination. It was for that reason that Ghanyarah was thankful he was grouped with somebody else instead of being told to venture off by himself, but if that had been the case, the reptile would have just clung to Dragon. Once they left the icy tunnel, Ghanyarah felt himself warming up in the humid jungle air, enjoying the warmth that seeped in through his hide.

They had made their way through the room, wandering through the grass and trees - the humidity had left a thick blanket of mist over the surface, which Ghanyarah worked to dispel as they walked. He drew the moisture towards himself, but manipulated it such that it didn't seep in past his skin; no, it only clung to his scales, giving the lizard a glossy and slick appearance as droplets of water began to coalesce on his tough hide. With the mist parting around them it would be easier to locate the collar should it be hidden in the grass, but even here they couldn't find it. He wondered if Usui would be able to catch its scent again - and then his mind wandered to Gracie, remembering that this was where she was said to live. Would she know anything about it?

"I know someone who lives here. She's a panda bear named Gracie." He stated, glancing up at Usui. "Maybe she could help..." That was assuming he'd be able to find her in the first place. They traveled still until their feet had taken them to the twin crystalline pools, glistening in the lights. Still and peaceful. Ghanyarah blinked, lingering at the edge. "Are these the eyes?" The komodo asked, again looking up at the lion.

Usui padded quietly beside Ghanyarah, a komodo dragon he barely knew. The usually inquisitive lion was rather worn out from their previous search mission and so focused on conserving his energy. Not too long later, they stepped into Eridanus. The fresh, leafy smell and warmth which enveloped Usui was much welcome. It was definitely better than Cetus any day, he thought and wrinkled his nose. Eridanus with its winding tunnels and streams seemed like a perfect hideout of sorts. As they walked on, the mist seemed to gather with humidity. However, they were dispelled. Usui looked at Ghanyarah, certain that it was the komodo dragon’s doing. A sleek moisture had begun to wrap itself around his scales. It didn’t look to bad on him. With a huff and a smile, Usui spoke. "Thanks.” It helped considerably that the mist didn’t roll around his legs and chest. He’d have a much better view with the clear air surrounding them.

He looked around the area and tried to catch the scent. It was present but extremely faint. It could make one guess whether the collar and cape had travelled through her or through Polaris. Ghanyarah then suggested they seek the help of a panda bear called Gracie. The lion cast his gaze unto the komodo dragon and pondered on it. Finally, he spoke with an affirmative nod. "Right, lead us to Gracie then.” He followed the komodo dragon, heading down a path that seemed rather well-worn. Soon, he saw two pools near the end of the room. Usui sniffed and failed to catch any scent. Ghanyarah asked him a question then. With a smile, Usui looked back at his comrade and nodded. "You’re spot on.” He then waited for Gracie to appear.

Gracie wistfully pawed at a bunch of sugar cane plants, snapping one off and forcing it into her mouth with glutton mindlessness. Her eyes were a bit dazed and unfocused, the panda hadn't been sleeping much since she last arrived back home to Eridanus. She had found her chrysalis, still a shining pink monument of her birth and the birds seemed happy to see her as little pebbles were thrown at her. That was a happy sign, wasn't it? She had no idea.

Munching and munching, the girl continued to eat the whole stick before reaching the furry, weird top of the plant. She flung it to the side, where a pile of wasted vegetation began to grow larger and larger. Yawning wide, and loud, the panda rose to her feet and staggered around for a moment. The mist in the area seemed to vibrate strangely and it's disturbance caused her own chest to pinch up for a minute. The pink diamond gem gleamed around the tufts of her black fur patch, magic swelled in her body and it seemed to concentrate all over this time instead of focusing in one spot (her paws). This was a weird sensation that had never happened before! Gracie instantly snapped to as her skin tingled, a warm blanket seemed to envelop her.

Without her knowledge three seeds from the cast aside sugar cane remains were deposited onto her shoulder blades and had begun to sprout! Their tiny roots had made the fertile skin their haven for beginning their life. Gracie didn't feel them take root, the tingling magic and vibrating air had her distracted.

Her gem settled down and she looked around with a confused look on her face. Brushing off the strangeness, Gracie shuffled sugar cane bits around in her mouth trying to swallow them down. A drink of water would help! The panda drifted towards the path that would lead to the twin pools. The water was always best there, nice and cool.

Approaching the dual pools, she stopped dead in her tracks. Gracie knew she wasn't alone because she could hear voices. It wasn't so much an issue, but one of the voices sounded real familiar! Walking a little more eagerly she sought to find out who she was visiting with today.

table and code © chelsea of ORIGIN

Ghanyarah didn't really know if Gracie would appear, or if she was even home right now. He had no way of telling where she could possibly be, so he just hoped that maybe if they talked loud enough, she would hear them and come lumbering over. In the mean time, the reptile perched himself at the edge of the pools and looked up at Usui for confirmation. So these were the eyes - the water that had nearly consumed Dragon, or so he described it. He remembered the alligator saying that he had dove down, through the water, only for it to grow darker and foreboding the deeper he went. And colder, too. Curious, the komodo dragon slowly reached forward and dipped his claws in the water, swirling them around in the surface. He watched the ripples stretch outward from contact, but the water didn't feel any colder than he'd expect it to.

There was a shuffling in the vegetation nearby, alerting the komodo dragon to the approach of another. He raised his head and turned, peering off into the bushes. The reptile backed up and elevated himself from the ground, but it was harder now - he was heavier, his body thickset and muscular, so unlike when he was young. His powerful legs could hoist him above the ground, but not for as long as before. He watched and waited until a familiar face emerged from the undergrowth, and he recognized the white and black markings, the purple eyes and the light pink gem that shone on her chest. "Gracie!" He exclaimed, wriggling his tail before scurrying forward to meet her. "We were just about to go look for you." Ghanyarah rumbled as he came up to the panda, looking her over. There were a few sprouts that seemed to have taken root in her shoulder. Strange, but he dismissed it for now. "We're looking for something special, and we were wondering if you could help, since you live here and all."

table and code © chelsea of ORIGIN